Work starts on a £1m project to convert a derelict Liverpool city region hotel into an apartments complex. Andrew Brown reports
Construction work has begun on the conversion of a derelict hotel in Southport into stylish new apartments.
Builders are currently on site at the former Continental Hotel on the Promenade, creating nine, two-bedroom apartments with a new restaurant on the ground floor in a £1m transformation.
The historic former hotel has been vacant and derelict for the past 20 years and its regeneration is a sign of Southport’s ongoing resurgence.
When complete it will form an attractive gateway site at the top of Scarisbrick Avenue between the Promenade and Lord Street.
This development is adjacent to one of the North West’s most striking murals – the four-storey street art dedicated to Red Rum which was painted by Paul Curtis as part of the Sefton Borough of Culture in 2020.
The former Continental Hotel revitalisation will add to the multi-million regeneration of the Promenade area, with the £20m restoration of Southport Pier due to begin soon, followed by the construction of the new £73 million Marine Lake Events Centre plus the Light Fantastic water and light show on the Marine Lake.
Sefton Council granted planning permission to the Continental Hotel conversion in 2023 after its owner revealed significant ambition to bring the double fronted four storey period building back to life.
In 2022, Sefton Council completed a £1m transformation of Scarisbrick Avenue, which it hopes will encourage more visitors to pass through as well as attracting more businesses.
Other key linkages between Lord Street and the Promenade are also enjoying new investment, with work ongoing to renovate the former Leo’s Bar / Thorp’s restaurant on Nevill Street to its art deco glory, while Ascot Group has renovated a number of properties on Bold Street, including the former Pineapple Park restaurant site.
The conversion of the former Continental Hotel and licensed restaurant into nine self-contained apartments on the upper floor with a new restaurant to the ground floor will further re-energise a previously neglected sector of Southport town centre.
In a planning report to councillors in 2023, Sefton Council Chief Planning Officer Derek McKenzie said: “The conversion of the upper floors of the building are likely to ensure the continuation of this building and secure maintenance to the betterment of the Conservation Area as well as to the corner of a key pedestrian route from Lord Street through to King’s Gardens and the coast beyond that.
“The proposed re-use of this building will be essential to the preservation of this building within the Promenade Conservation Area and will also provide for regeneration benefits in an identified regeneration area.”
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Rod Ainsworth Architect in Southport created the design work to breathe new life into 22 Promenade which will add to the resort’s new-found resurgence.
He said: “We need to see the benefits of bringing this magnificent building back into use. This is a key building in the regeneration of Southport, by bringing back a Grade II Listed building to life.”